By Betsy Bridge, Energy Efficiency Associate-
Homegrown energy is almost always cheaper than imports when you factor in the social, environmental, and economic benefits. With this in mind, the New Rules Project recently conducted a study that examines how much energy could be generated by tapping into state internal renewable resources.
The report asserts that at least half of the states could satisfy their energy needs from renewable energy generated inside their borders and the vast majority could meet a significant percentage.
This is great news for Idaho, a state rich in renewable energy. Currently, we import over 80% of our electricity from out of state, but if we tapped into the wind, solar, and geothermal potential in our state, Idaho could possibly be a net exporter of energy. The development of renewable energy within Idaho’s borders could provide numerous benefits to our state, including:
• Boosting rural economies
• Creating local jobs
• Cutting back on the cost of transmission
• Reducing our green house gas emissions
Idaho has so much renewable energy potential. We need to begin developing these resources in order to secure a more affordable and independent energy future.
